Father Gino Flaim, an Italian priest, has outraged and humiliated Catholic Church officials by saying he understands why priests “succumb” to urges to sexually abuse children, and by deeming homosexuality “a sickness,” reports The Telegraph.

A priest for nearly half a decade, 75-year-old Father Flaim suggested that children are sometimes to blame, as they tempt priests into sexual relationships:

“I can understand pedophilia,” he told La7, an Italian television channel. “I’ve been in lots of schools and I know children. Unfortunately there are some children who look for affection because they don’t get it at home. And perhaps if they find a priest (in whom to confide)… he might succumb. And I understand this.”

When asked whether he was insinuating that some children were at fault, he said, “For the large part, yes,” but emphasized that he wasn’t condoning sexual abuse, adding that homosexuality is a “sickness.”

He was summarily dismissed from his position in the parish of San Giuseppe within hours of making the comments.

EddieP904

Isn’t organized religion grand. That man was spreading the word of God? It’s ok to be a pedophile only if your a catholic priest apparently, they just cover it up, and pay them off. Sick sick, disgusting

thouston53

@Patrick Laney: well…in their defense…he came out as gay WITH a boyfriend. If he had come out as having a girlfriend the response would probably have been pretty similar…Roman Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy which boyfriend or girlfriend, he has violated.

October 8, 2015 at 9:10am

martinbakman

Priests don’t stop preying on kids at puberty, right? They just keep on preying on kids past the age of puberty, so are they really pedophiles or just creepy sick fvcks?

Joe

“A priest for nearly half a decade, 75-year-old Father Flaim suggested that children are sometimes to blame, as they tempt priests into sexual relationships:”

And as Priest are adult and should no better. I was born a Catholic but refuse to die one.

October 9, 2015 at 8:10am

GayEGO

Father Ginoletta blames the children for enticing him and his ilk to have sex? That seems he is trying to hide his guilt of pedophilia and blaming the children.

October 9, 2015 at 1:10pm

Ellipse Kirk

He did speak a truth, that some kids seek out sex/affection from adults. It is STILL the responsibility of the adult in the room to say no. It’s really not that complicated, adults just need to be adults.

October 11, 2015 at 9:10pm

dawg

did he get fired for his beliefs or his going public with them? All those years they never knew what he believed?

October 11, 2015 at 9:10pm

jmvc

When I saw the headline on my facebook wall, I thought this was a satire article from the Onion. This guy is sick-minded.

October 11, 2015 at 10:10pm

kittyconrad

@Faye Denton: One of the tragedies of Catholicism is that some people think one can do anything and it magically “goes away” by confessing.